September 04, 2013 07:12 PM CDTNovember 13, 2013 07:34 AM CSTSherrington: If he keeps it up, Martin Perez should be AL Rookie of Year

Sherrington: If he keeps it up, Martin Perez should be AL Rookie of Year

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Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Michael Choice #35 of the Oakland Athletics gets his first major league hit, an infield single in the fifth inning, against the Texas Rangers at O.co Coliseum on September 3, 2013 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Columnist Kevin Sherrington answered questions in a chat Wednesday. Here are some highlights.

While still a darkhorse, could Martin Perez's second half performances get him some moderate consideration in the ROY voting this year?

Kevin Sherrington: I don't know that I'd call him a dark horse. It's not an overwhelming field. Iglesias, Shuck, Myers, Archer, none of them has been dominating. Perez has come in at a pivotal time for the Rangers and pitched lights out, pretty much. Six wins in a row, a Rangers rookie record. If he keeps this up, and the Rangers win the division, I think he should win it.

Why are the Rangers hanging onto Berkman? Shouldn't they just dump him?

Kevin Sherrington: Why? Expanded rosters now, so there's plenty of room on the bench. He hit a couple of balls hard the other night. Let's say they get to the World Series and they need a pinch hitter. Who would you rather have hitting from the left side off the bench? Profar? Not if you need some pop. And Berkman has experience in the postseason that's invaluable. He could still really help the Rangers.

When the schedules for the 2013 baseball season were released last year, did next week's three-game set with the Pirates seem nearly as exciting as it is now with two teams facing tight pennant races?

Kevin Sherrington: No, wouldn't have seen that, although the Pirates have been improving greatly. All those last-place finishes and commensurate draft picks have finally added up. Clint Hurdle has done a great job, too. Here's the most amazing thing: The Pirates have guaranteed their first winning season since 1992. Considering what they were back then, that's incredible to consider.

Who was the biggest hero of your childhood you got a chance to talk to in your job, and was he/she what you expected?

Kevin Sherrington: For some reason, what stands out to me is talking to Mike Schmidt in spring training near the end of his career. He wasn't a hero, but he'd been a great player of my childhood. Steve Carlton, too. But Carlton was so done by the time I came around as a sportswriter, he was dying for anyone to talk to him. Not so much when he was great.

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